During his PhD project, Li-Hsuan Chen explored how dietary crude protein (CP) and essential amino acid (EAA) levels affect the gut metabolome and intestinal epithelial function in weaned piglets. Antimicrobial resistance is a growing global threat, driven in part by antibiotic use in pig production during the stressful weaning period to treat post-weaning diarrhea (PWD). High CP in weaner diets can impair gut health and promote PWD, whereas essential amino acid (EAA) supplementation has shown to reduce PWD. Li-Hsuan studied the mechanisms behind these effects. Using metabolomics and complementary intestinal epithelial models, he found that surplus EAA alters the gut metabolome in ways linked to epithelial energy metabolism and cell proliferation, with purine-derived metabolites emerging as contributors. These metabolites appear to counteract the negative effects caused by fermentation products such as p-cresol and ammonia. Li-Hsuan´s results demonstrate the value of intestinal epithelial cell models, including cell lines and organoids, in elucidating dietary mechanisms that influence pig intestinal health.

The PhD study was completed at Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Technical Sciences, Aarhus University.

This summary was prepared by the PhD student.

Time: Tuesday, May 19^th, 2026 at 10:00
Place: 8814-3050 M2, Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Aarhus University, Blichers Alle 20, 8830 Tjele
Title of PhD thesis: Impact of dietary protein and amino acid levels on the gut metabolome and intestinal epithelial function in weaned piglets
Contact information: Li-Hsuan Chen, e-mail: lihsuan.chen@anivet.au.dk, tel.: +45 91417741
Members of the assessment committee:
Associate Professor Tofuko Awori Woyengo, Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Aarhus University, Denmark.
Associate Professor Henrik Munch Roager, Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports – Nutrition and Health, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
Research Director Martin Beaumont, GenPhySE-INRAE, Toulouse, France.
Main supervisor:
Senior Researcher Nuria Canibe, Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Aarhus University, Denmark.
Co-supervisor:
Senior Researcher Mette Skou Hedemann, Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Aarhus University, Denmark.
Senior Researcher Stig Purup, Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Aarhus University, Denmark.
Language: The PhD dissertation will be defended in English

The defence is public.
The PhD thesis is available for reading at the Graduate School of Technical Sciences/GSTS, Ny Munkegade 120, building 1521, 8000 Aarhus C.